Chapter 2

~ Charlotte

"Are you two not ashamed of yourselves?" Adam said with a cold, demeaning tone as his driver gently pushed him into the room. "Clap for yourselves."

I turned my gaze toward the source of the voice and noticed a wheelchair parked by the room door. 

Dylan's body trembled as he recognized the familiar voice. Eleanor , too, was stunned by the furious outburst, her eyes widening in disbelief.

It was Adam !

Her fiancé had returned unexpectedly early!

Seated in the wheelchair was a man with short hair and piercing eyes beneath thick eyebrows that gleamed with intensity. He glared angrily at the scene unfolding before him.

"Why are you here?" Dylan's mouth twitched as he stood there awkwardly, uncertain of what to do. He had always harbored a slight fear of Adam , and now, with the added guilt of wrongdoing, he felt even more ashamed.

Adam's gaze turned cold as he scrutinized his brother and Eleanor , who was dressed in a man's shirt. His eyes then shifted to the cake and the surprise package on the floor before settling on me , as I lay on the ground.

I arrived a few days ago, but I decided to keep my arrival a secret after I saw both of you leaving a hotel. My intention was to understand the situation. Once I obtained the information, I couldn't leave your girlfriend unaware of the person she was in a relationship with. I sent her a text, pretending it was from you. I'm sorry this had to be the surprise I orchestrated, but you needed to know the truth," Adam explained, gazing at me with pity.

I was utterly stunned, completely devoid of the strength to speak. So, I lay there, my head hanging low, much like a distressed dog.

Eleanor gasped, her mouth wide open, her hand instinctively covering it, clearly taken aback by Adam's revelation.

Meanwhile, Dylan appeared indifferent, standing still and glaring at Adam as if preparing for a confrontation.

"Help her up and take her to the hospital!" Adam ordered a man standing behind him, who appeared to be his driver, his tone unwavering.

"Yes, sir!" The man quickly rushed to my side, extending a hand to assist me and prepare to escort me to the hospital.

I stood up and gazed at Dylan who stood before me, my heart shattered. A pounding headache throbbed in my temples. Blood still trickled, but I was happy I now understood everything.

The man I had loved deeply... had mercilessly cast me aside for another woman! What more could I say?

"I can manage on my own, thank you," I said sadly, pushing the man's hand away.

Without even a glance at Dylan , I quietly left Dylan's room.

Adam was promptly wheeled away by his driver, leaving only Dylan and Eleanor in the room.

As I left Dylan's room, I carried my tote bag, feeling utterly helpless.

After ten years of being faithful to Dylan , this was what he paid me back with today! Blood streamed through my hair, staining my white dress. I was clearly enduring immense pain, yet I remained unfazed by it all.

No matter how painful my physical wound was, it couldn't compare to the overwhelming pain in my heart. 

The elevator in front of me chimed as it opened. I entered it, feeling utterly numb. My body slumped against the elevator's wall, my gaze fixed on a bleak horizon.

Adam's driver gently guided Adam's wheelchair into the elevator as its doors slowly closed. Adam's expression remained icy and aloof. He wordlessly observed me for a moment before shifting his gaze away.

The elevator swiftly descended to the first floor, its doors opening at a deliberate pace. I stared blankly at the open doors, my despair evident.

Without delay, Adam was wheeled out of the elevator, heading towards the off-road vehicle parked at the guest house entrance.

I walked towards the guest house entrance. As I attempted to cross the path of the Land Rover and leave, the driver stopped me.

"Miss, you're injured. We should take you to the hospital first," the driver insisted.

I cast a glance at him , attempting to muster a smile, but it ended up more strained than cheerful. "Thank you! I'll be okay. I won't die!" 

I tried to move my foot to leave, but a strong hand firmly gripped my arm. I turned to see Adam , whom I vaguely recognized from my occasional visit at the Morgan mansion.

"I'm alright..." 

Although I wasn't well-acquainted with this man, I had encountered him a few times with the Morgan family and knew he was Dylan's older brother.

"Get in the car!" Adam's tone was stern.

"I really am okay..." I began, but I realized there was little I could do to break free from his firm grip.

"Miss, please get in the car! Your injury is on your head. If you don't treat it properly, your life will be in danger," the driver urged, standing by my side and opening the car door.

"If you want people to notice how heartbroken you are at the moment , you can choose to walk home on your own!" Adam released my hand, his expression impassive as he looked ahead.

I blinked weakly, and hesitated for a moment before lifting my foot and stepping into the car. The driver promptly closed the door and then guided Adam to the other side, helping him into the vehicle.

The Land Rover accelerated, quickly making its way toward the hospital. As we drove through the city, the scenery outside the window continuously changed.

However, my world felt meaningless. At this moment, unable to see or hear anything. It was as if all my memories had frozen at that recent scene. 

I questioned myself, wondering if I had been foolish. A melancholic smile graced my lips, a smile so laden with sorrow that it tugged at one's heartstrings.

The car reached the hospital with surprising speed. I trailed behind the driver and the enigmatic man, my steps carrying me to the emergency room. There, the doctor attentively tended to my wound, prescribing necessary medication. 

Roughly half an hour later, I settled into Adam 's Land Rover as we departed from the hospital. 

About ten minutes into the drive, the vehicle halted in front of a Supermarket. The driver opened the car door and stepped out, leaving Adam , and I in the car.

"I remember your name is Charlotte , right?" Adam enquired.

I rarely came back home, but my brother Dylan frequently mentioned you.

"Yes..." I gazed out of the window at the sky and replied in a somewhat wooden tone.

"I returned this time to prepare for my wedding!"

"Okay…" I replied absentmindedly.

"The woman you saw in the office is my fiancée!"

"Okay..." I responded softly, my body tensing slightly. I then swiftly turned to look at the determined man and asked in surprise, "You just said that woman is your fiancée?"

Yes, she is.

It appeared as though I had just heard the news. It was because I was overwhelmed with sadness and couldn't find the time to react. 

Adam wore an expressionless face, staring icily at me.

"The day after tomorrow is our wedding day..."

"A wedding?" I forced a sad smile and shook my head. My heart grew cold once more. Dylan , my fiance, had been involved with the woman, even expecting a child with her! 

I had unknowingly loved such a person for ten long years!

"I've already sent out all the wedding invitations. The wedding must proceed as planned. I can't stand the shame of having my wedding canceled.

Although it's rather sudden, you are the most suitable person at this moment! 

I'll give you a day to think it over. The day after tomorrow, you shall become my bride!"

I was taken aback by Adam's words, my disbelief evident in my gaze.

"Even if you can't accept what happened in the guest house just now, it's the truth. If you marry me, I'll provide everything you desire, except love."

"Are you joking with me?" I struggled to find the right expression as my thoughts spiraled into chaos. This unexpected situation left me confused.

The suddenness of it all left me momentarily unable to regain my composure. 

Adam , with his sharp, cold demeanor, locked eyes with me. "You have one day to consider it. If you decide now, we can proceed with the registration."

This seemed like an insult to me. Does he believe I'm desperate to get married? What makes him think I would accept such an offer just hours after experiencing heartbreak with my ex?

I gazed into his eyes as he locked eyes with me, a faint smile gracing his face. I contemplated stepping out of the car, but something held me back. Perhaps, I pondered, this could be my chance for revenge on Dylan. Slowly, I leaned against the car seat, deep in thought.